If you are hoping to get into healthcare but aren’t sure where to start, check out online certification programs. Online certifications are less expensive and more flexible than degree programs but can still get you started in a successful career in healthcare.
There are many medical certifications available that can help you get a job where you make an impact on people’s lives, earn a decent living, and enjoy excellent job security.
This guide goes over the online healthcare certifications here at Stepful as well as other types of medical certifications you can get online.
Stepful’s Online Healthcare Certification Programs
We offer a few different certification options here at Stepful for people trying to get into healthcare. Each of our programs can be completed online, and some even include support for finding an externship for jobs that require in-person training.
In addition to effective, convenient, and relatively inexpensive certification programs, we offer career coaching to help you find a job. We prepare our students to pass widely accepted certification exams and enter the workforce with confidence.
Stepful’s online healthcare certification programs include:
Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)
Medical assistants work in the offices of physicians, outpatient centers, surgical centers, and hospitals. They work alongside physicians to care for patients and ensure good outcomes.
Medical assistant responsibilities include tasks like measuring vital signs, drawing blood samples, cleaning rooms, and documenting procedures.
Medical assistants earn an average of $42,000 per year or $20.19 per hour and have a 14% expected job growth rate between 2023 and 2033.
Stepful’s Medical Assistant Program prepares you to take the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam offered by the National HealthCareer Association (NHA). This exam focuses on clinical skills for medical assistants and is recognized by states that require their medical assistants to earn certificates.
Stepful’s program has an 87% certification rate. In addition, the program includes support in finding externship hours for students to get in-person, hands-on experience working with experienced clinical medical assistants.
- Type of course: Online with some in-person clinical hours
- Resulting certification: CCMA from the NHA
- Time to complete: 4 months
- Average salary: $42,000 per year
- Number of jobs in the US: 783,900
- Job outlook: 14% growth expected between 2023 and 2033
Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)
A medical administrative assistant works in a medical office and handles administrative tasks such as answering phone calls, scheduling appointments, managing billing and payments, and organizing supplies.
Medical administrative assistants earn an average of $43,380 per year or $20.85 per hour.
Our Medical Administrative Assistant Program prepares students to take the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) exam offered by the NHA.
This course is a 100% online class with no clinical hour requirement. Students can complete their CMAA training through Stepful in just 3 months.
- Type of course: Online
- Resulting certification: CMAA from the NHA
- Time to complete: 3 months
- Average salary: $43,380
- Number of jobs in the US: 749,500
- Job outlook: 6.7% growth between 2023 and 2033
Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)
Pharmacy technicians usually work in retail pharmacies, like Walgreens or CVS, and some also work in hospitals, mail-order pharmacies, and research centers.
Pharmacy technicians organize medications, help patients get their prescriptions filled, mix/compound medications, and help prevent dangerous medication interactions and errors.
Pharmacy technicians earn an average of $40,300 per year and have a good job outlook.
Our Pharmacy Technician Program here at Stepful is a 4-month online program where students learn everything they need to know to become pharmacy technicians and pass the NHA’s ExCPT Certificate exam.
This program includes an online learning portion followed by 130 clinical hours to practice your skills alongside an experienced pharmacy technician.
- Type of course: Online with some clinical hours
- Resulting certification: NHA CPhT Certification
- Time to complete: 4 months
- Average salary: $40,300
- Number of jobs in the US: 463,900
- Job outlook: 7% growth projected between 2023 and 2033
Surgical Tech (TS-C)
Surgical technologists work alongside surgeons in operating rooms to assist with procedures, including everything from heart transplants to orthopedic repairs.
Surgical techs, also called scrub techs, ensure that everything is sterile, keep track of surgical instruments, and help with pre- and post-operative patient care. They work in hospitals but can also be found in outpatient centers and clinics.
Surgical techs with certifications and several years of experience can earn up to $95,800 per year and are vital members of the surgical team.
If you complete the Surgical Tech Training Program at Stepful, you will spend the first 4 months learning online, preparing for your certification exam and clinical experiences.
Then, Stepful coaches and teachers will help you find a clinical location near you to get in-person experience working in an operating room.
- Type of course: Online learning with 125 clinical cases in person
- Resulting certification: NCCT Tech in Surgery (TS-C)
- Time to complete: 4 months of coursework & 4 to 10 months of an externship
- Average salary: $62,250
- Number of jobs in the US: 134,000
- Job outlook: 6% growth expected between 2023 and 2033
Other Healthcare Certifications You Can Get Online
There are many other healthcare certifications you can get online. While online programs are typically more convenient and less expensive than in-person programs, they may not all be accredited or approved for certification.
Make sure that the program you choose has been accredited and approved by a certifying agency.
Phlebotomist
Phlebotomists work in doctors' offices and hospitals. They are responsible for collecting blood samples and getting them safely to the laboratory for testing and analysis.
In addition to learning how to draw blood efficiently and without hurting the patient, phlebotomists have to understand infection control, how to avoid needlestick injuries, and how to handle blood samples for different types of tests.
There are many phlebotomy programs that are completely online and can be completed in just a month or two. It is the shortest certification course available and is great for people who want to get started in healthcare right away.
Many people choose to earn their phlebotomist certification and then work while completing more lengthy certification programs.
- Type of course: Online
- Resulting certification: NHA’s CPT, NPA’s CPT, ASCP’s PBT, & many more
- Time to complete: 1 to 3 months
- Average salary: $43,310
- Number of jobs in the US: 141,200
- Job outlook: 8% growth expected between 2023 and 2033
Dental Assistant
Dental assistants work with dentists to care for patients’ teeth. They are responsible for taking X-ray images, scheduling appointments, cleaning rooms, handing instruments to the dentist while they work, cleaning equipment, and more.
Dental assistants are often confused with dental hygienists. Hygienists clean patients’ teeth, while assistants take care of other tasks around the office and assist with procedures.
Dental assistants can become certified by completing a training course and taking the exam offered by a certifying organization such as the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB).
While certification is not usually required, dental assistants who have a certification typically earn more and have an easier time finding a job.
- Are online courses available? Yes
- Resulting certification(s): DANB’s CDA
- Average program length: 4 months to 1 year
- Average program cost: $1,000 to $10,000
- Average salary: $47,350
- Number of jobs in the US: 376,500
- Job outlook: 8% growth expected between 2023 and 2033
EKG Technician
EKG technicians perform echocardiograms also known as EKGs or ECGs. This test measures the electrical activity in a patient’s heart to identify problems that may need treatment. EKG technicians most commonly work in hospitals, urgent care clinics, and long-term care facilities.
EKG technicians must know how to place leads correctly, how to keep a patient calm, and understand readings well enough to know when a physician is needed urgently.
EKG technicians can become Certified EKG Technicians (CET) by completing a training course and passing an exam administered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
They may also choose to become a Certified Cardiographic Technician (CCT) by completing a course and passing an exam offered by Cardiovascular Credentialing International.
- Are online courses available? Yes
- Resulting certification(s): Certified EKG Technician (CET), Certified Cardiographic Technician (CCT)
- Average program length: 3 to 6 months
- Average program cost: $500 to 2,500
- Average salary: $49,724
- Number of jobs in the US: 143,400
- Job outlook: 11% growth expected between 2023 and 2033
Electronic Health Records Specialist
Electronic health records specialists can work in any type of healthcare facility. Some are even able to work remotely. These specialists help healthcare providers with electronic charting systems, scheduling systems, and keeping an inventory of health supplies.
They earn an average of $48,780 per year and have good job security.
You can choose to become a certified electronic health records specialist by taking the CEHRS exam through the NHA or the RHIT exam through the AHIMA.
- Are online courses available? Yes
- Resulting certification(s): Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS), Registered Health Information Technologist (RHIT)
- Average program length: 4 to 9 months
- Average program cost: $1,000 to $4,000
- Average salary: $48,780 per year
- Number of jobs in the US: 191,500
- Job outlook: 9% growth expected between 2023 and 2033
Medical Coding & Billing Specialist
Medical coders use ICD-10 codes to document patient diagnoses and treatments. These codes are used by healthcare and insurance companies to ensure that patients are charged correctly and fairly.
Medical coders protect patients, providers, and insurance companies from fraud and unnecessary spending by ensuring accurate diagnoses and reimbursement rates.
Medical coding and billing specialists can become Certified Coding Specialists (CCS) by completing a training course and passing the exam offered by AHIMA.
- Are online courses available? Yes
- Resulting certification(s): Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)
- Average program length: 4 months to 1 year
- Average program cost: $2,000 to $5,000
- Average salary: $58,510
- Number of jobs in the US: 191,500
- Job outlook: 9% growth expected between 2023 and 2033
Medical Laboratory Assistant
A medical laboratory assistant deals with specimens like blood, saliva, stool, skin, organ tissue, and urine.
They keep specimens labeled and stored correctly so that patients and providers can get accurate diagnoses and create treatment plans. They may use a microscope to look at samples and discover abnormalities, illnesses, or patterns.
Becoming a medical laboratory assistant typically only requires a high school diploma or GED. You can become a Certified Medical Laboratory Assistant (CMLA) through the American Medical Technologists.
- Are online courses available? Yes
- Resulting certification(s): Certified Medical Laboratory Assistant (CMLA)
- Average program cost: $1,000 to $5,000
- Average salary: $49,005
- Number of jobs in the US: 344,200
- Job outlook: 5% growth expected between 2023 and 2033
Medical Transcriptionist & Editor
Medical transcriptionists listen to dictation from healthcare providers and type their words into documents. As artificial intelligence improves, jobs for medical transcriptionists are declining. More often, these jobs involve editing documents that have been transcribed by artificial intelligence. While the job market is in decline, some people are still drawn to the profession due to its schedule flexibility as well as the ability to work remotely.
If you are interested in becoming a medical transcriptionist, you can complete a training program and become a Registered Healthcare Documentation Specialist (RHDS). This certification exam is administered by the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI).
- Are online courses available? Yes
- Resulting certification(s): Registered Healthcare Documentation Specialist (RHDS).
- Average program length: 12 months
- Average program cost: $1,000 to $3,000
- Average salary: $37,060
- Number of jobs in the US: 54,500
- Job outlook: 5% decline is expected between 2023 and 2033
Mental Health Technician
Mental health technicians work with patients suffering from addiction or mental health disorders. They help people perform activities of daily living, remember their medications, and report concerning behaviors to the physician.
Mental health technicians can work in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, mental health clinics, and long-term care centers.
The National Career Certification Board offers a Mental Health Technician Certification. To become certified, candidates must pass a certification exam, but there are no training program requirements. Mental health technicians can purchase a test-prep book and study on their own before attempting the exam.
- Are online courses available? Yes
- Resulting certification(s): Mental Health Technician Certification (MHTC)
- Average program length: 4 weeks of self-study
- Average program cost: $1,000 to $4,000
- Average salary: $39,610
- Number of jobs in the US: 160,600
- Job outlook: 13% growth expected between 2023 and 2033
Patient Care Technician
Patient care technicians (PCTs) work in hospitals, care centers, clinics, and operating rooms. They are responsible for basic patient care tasks such as bathing, brushing teeth, feeding, and dressing patients. Some advanced patient care technicians are trained in skills like drawing blood, changing dressings, or inserting Foley catheters.
The Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT) offered by the AHA can be earned by PCTs who complete a training program and pass the 100-question exam.
- Are online courses available? Yes
- Resulting certification(s): NHA’a CPCT/A, NCCT’s PCT, AMCA’s PCT
- Average program length: 4 months
- Average program cost: $1,000 to $4,000
- Average salary: $38,480
- Number of jobs in the US: 164,835
Physical Therapy Technician
Physical therapy technicians work alongside physical therapists to help patients perform exercises and stretches, use TENS units, and keep equipment clean and organized.
Many physical therapy technicians choose to earn a Physical Therapy Aide/Technician Certification (PTTC). Certified physical therapy technicians are trained in infection control, safety, anatomy and physiology, and more.
- Are online courses available? Yes
- Resulting certification(s): AMCA’s CRTT, NCCB’s PTTC, AECA’s CPTA
- Average program length: 4 to 12 months
- Average program cost: $1,000 to $5,000
- Average salary: $30,014
- Number of jobs in the US: 66,087
Registered Behavior Technician
A Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) is a healthcare worker who assists in delivering behavior analysis services and works under the supervision of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.
The two work together to create and implement behavior plans for individuals struggling with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and other behavioral issues.
RBTs work in schools, hospitals, care facilities, and outpatient mental health centers.
Registered Behavior Technicians must register with the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, complete 40 hours of training, and pass the RBT examination.
- Are online courses available? Yes
- Resulting certification(s): Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
- Average program length: 40 hours
- Average program cost: $100 to $400
- Average salary: $39,610
- Number of jobs in the US: 160,600
- Job outlook: 13% growth expected between 2023 and 2033
Sterile Processing Technician
A sterile processing technician prepares, maintains, and restocks sterile equipment used for surgeries and other invasive procedures. They work in hospitals, laboratories, and surgical centers.
Sterile processing technicians typically work during normal business hours but may have to be on call during holidays, nights, and weekends.
Sterile processing technicians can become Certified Registered Central Service Technicians (CRCST) by passing the exam offered by the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA).
They earn a decent salary of $41,480 per year and are one of the fastest-growing healthcare careers in the United States.
- Are online courses available? Yes
- Resulting certification(s): Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST)
- Average program length: 2 months
- Average program cost: $1,000 to $3,000
- Average salary: $57,186
- Number of jobs in the US: 49,025
Deciding Which Healthcare Certification is Best for You
With so many different options available, it can feel overwhelming to try and decide which certification to pursue. When considering all of your choices, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Cost
Consider the cost of your certification program and make sure to take into account the average starting salary for the job. Paying a few hundred dollars more upfront may be worth it to earn several thousand dollars more each year throughout your career.
You may also consider whether or not there are work reimbursement programs or scholarships available for your chosen training program.
Length of the Program
Most online certification programs can last anywhere from 4 months to 1 year. Consider how long you are willing to wait to get started in your healthcare career, and whether or not you can work while you train. You can see some of the quickest healthcare certifications you can get here.
Your Interests
Before you jump into a training program, think about what you want your future to look like. You will most likely spend 40 hours each week for several decades working at your job, so choose something that interests you.
Job Outlook in Your Area
Think about how difficult it will be to find a job in your chosen field after you complete your training program. If something interests you, but you are worried about finding a job, you may want to find a certification program with job placement assistance.
Advancement Opportunities
Some jobs have more advancement opportunities than others. Before you choose a certification, think about where you’d like your career to be in 5, 10, or even 20 years.
If you dream of being an office manager, medical administrative assistance is a good choice. On the other hand, if you hope to get into medical school, you may want to become an EKG technician or patient care technician.
